Family 'broken' after Otago student's body found in Makarora River

Thursday, 13 February 2020

A family of a man whose body was found in Central Otago's Makarora River are hoping to raise enough money to bring him home.

The body of fourth year University of Otago pharmacy student Kevin Lee, 22, was one of two recovered from the river last week.

His sister, Helen Lee, said their Auckland-based family was devastated by the death of her eldest sibling.

'I am trying to take care of his burial on behalf of my parents, because obviously there is nothing worse than losing a child.'

She was stunned to discover it would cost about $17,000 to have his body returned for an Auckland burial.

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The family was originally from China and Lee said her parents would prefer a burial for their son, as per Chinese custom.

Her partner Angus Loggie had set up a Givealittle page to help, with almost $4000 raised as of Thursday afternoon.

Her brother loved photography and the outdoors, but their parents never had a car so they couldn't go out and 'do things like that', she said.

He had been excited to buy his first car a few months ago, and had driven it from Auckland to Dunedin and then around the southern region looking for places to explore.

'It wasn't uncommon for him to disappear for a whole week,' Lee said.

'When we heard he was missing we just thought he was out of reception.'

She did not know the other person he was tramping with.

Lee's body was found in the same area where a woman's body was found by a member of the public about 5.15pm on Friday. The woman's death is still with the coroner and her name is expected to be released in the coming days.

Lee's backpack and camera were still missing, and the family was hoping to recover them.

She said her brother was just a year older than her and the pair were 'very close'.

'We shared everything,' she said.

The siblings, who attended Western Springs College, grew up in a two bedroom state home, sharing a bunk bed with their youngest brother Andy.

Kevin often slept on the floor 'and never seemed to mind', she said.

The family was 'broken' over the death.

'In our culture it is quite common for the eldest sibling to look after the parents when they are older, and that responsibility is now with me.'